On Friday, residents of Ruga, a settlement along Airport Road in Abuja, protested the demolition of their homes by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as part of his “Operation Sweep” initiative. The task force was set up to clear communities deemed as nuisances or as potential sites of criminal activity within the capital.
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju and Vincent Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMark, led the protest, arguing that the demolitions were conducted with malicious intent. Adeyanju reported that the task force not only razed buildings but also burned property valued in the millions. He urged President Bola Tinubu to consider the hardship faced by these residents, many of whom fled insecurity in northern states like Borno.
Adeyanju stated, “This demolition is unjustifiable. We appeal to the president to act on behalf of these displaced people. Many were driven out of their homes in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe due to violence, and now they face yet another displacement.” He warned that peace is only possible if the poor are allowed to live without harassment.
Otse added, “This action will have severe repercussions. These people have lost their homes amidst an already tough economic climate, with no compensation provided. It’s troubling to see the elite treating the poor as if they don’t matter in society,” emphasizing that the demolished area is distant from the main road and poses no significant public nuisance.